NBA Roundup: Spurs Storm Past Blazers in Victor Wembanyama’s Return, Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

The San Antonio Spurs proved once again that they are a different beast with their defensive anchor in the lineup. In a stunning second-half eruption, the Spurs stormed past the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 on Sunday night, seizing a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series. The victory was powered by the long-awaited return of Victor Wembanyama, who shook off any lingering rust from concussion protocol to deliver a vintage performance.

After sitting out Game 3 due to concussion protocol, Wembanyama wasted no time reminding the league why he is the NBA’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. The rookie sensation (yes, technically a sophomore, but still a phenomenon) posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, and four steals. But the stat line only tells half the story. His presence altered every Portland drive, and his gravity on offense opened up the floor for a Spurs comeback that felt inevitable once the second half began.

How the Spurs Erased a 19-Point Deficit

The game started ominously for San Antonio. Portland came out firing, with Deni Avdija scoring 26 points and Jrue Holiday adding 20. The Blazers built a 19-point lead in the first half, moving the ball crisply and exploiting a Spurs defense that was still finding its rhythm with Wembanyama back in the rotation. Jerami Grant provided a spark off the bench with 17 points, and Portland looked poised to even the series at 2-2.

But the Spurs are not a team that panics. Head coach Gregg Popovich adjusted the defensive scheme at halftime, putting Wembanyama on a roaming assignment that effectively erased Portland’s interior scoring. The results were staggering. San Antonio outscored the Blazers by a 73-35 margin in the second half, flipping the game completely on its head.

“We just locked in,” said De’Aaron Fox, who led all Spurs scorers with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including four 3-pointers. “We knew if we could get stops, the offense would come. Victor changes everything.”

Fox was relentless, attacking the rim and hitting pull-up jumpers. But the real catalyst was the connection between the Spurs’ young core. Rookie Stephon Castle battled through an injured left hand and foul trouble to deliver 16 points and eight assists. Despite the pain, Castle orchestrated the offense with veteran poise, setting up Wembanyama for three thunderous alley-oop dunks during the pivotal fourth-quarter run.

Wembanyama’s Defensive Masterclass and the Fourth Quarter Blitz

Tied at 74 entering the fourth quarter, the game was anyone’s to win. Then the Spurs unleashed a 27-7 run that left the Moda Center crowd stunned. It started with Castle finding Wembanyama on a lob that seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before the 7’4” Frenchman slammed it home. Two more alley-oops followed, each one louder than the last.

Fox then took over. He sank a pair of mid-range jumpers and a step-back 3-pointer to push the lead to 87-77 with 7:47 left. Portland tried to call timeout to stem the tide, but the damage was done. Keldon Johnson, recently named the Sixth Man of the Year, delivered the knockout punch. Johnson converted from beyond the arc and added two driving layups, extending the lead to 101-81 with 4:31 remaining.

“That’s what we do,” Johnson said postgame. “We have so many weapons. When we share the ball and play defense like that, we’re tough to beat.”

Wembanyama’s defensive stats were eye-popping, but his impact went beyond the box score. He altered at least five more shots that didn’t count as blocks, and his mere presence forced Portland into rushed passes and contested jumpers. The Blazers shot just 32 percent in the second half, a direct result of the Spurs’ length and activity.

Key Stats and Takeaways from Game 4

• De’Aaron Fox: 28 points, 11-of-17 FG, 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Fox has now scored 25+ points in three of the four games this series.
• Victor Wembanyama: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 steals. His plus-minus of +24 was the highest on the team.
• Stephon Castle: 16 points, 8 assists, despite playing through a left hand injury and foul trouble.
• Keldon Johnson: 14 points off the bench, including the dagger 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
• Portland’s collapse: The Blazers scored just 35 points in the entire second half after putting up 58 in the first half.

The series now shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday, where the Spurs will have a chance to close out the series in front of a raucous home crowd. For Portland, the task is simple but daunting: win on the road to force a Game 6, or face elimination.

Around the NBA: Rockets Avoid Sweep Behind Thompson and Eason

In the other Western Conference playoff action on Sunday, the Houston Rockets kept their season alive with a gritty victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Amen Thompson scored a game-high 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20 as Houston averted elimination in Game 4 of their first-round series.

The Rockets trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter but used a 38-19 fourth-quarter surge to steal the win. Thompson was aggressive attacking the rim, and Eason provided crucial stops on the defensive end. Houston now trails the series 3-1, with Game 5 set for Wednesday in Los Angeles.

“We weren’t ready to go home,” Thompson said after the game. “We know we can play with anybody. We just have to do it for 48 minutes.”

The Clippers were led by Kawhi Leonard’s 27 points, but they struggled to contain Houston’s athleticism in the open floor. The Rockets shot 52 percent from the field and forced 16 turnovers, turning them into 22 fast-break points.

Expert Analysis: What the Spurs Need to Do to Close Out the Series

San Antonio’s Game 4 victory was a statement. But closing out a playoff series—especially against a veteran Blazers team with pride—requires discipline. Here’s what the Spurs must focus on in Game 5:

• Stay aggressive with Wembanyama: The Blazers have no answer for him on either end. San Antonio should continue to run the offense through him, especially in pick-and-roll situations with Fox.
• Defend the 3-point line: Portland shot just 9-of-31 from deep in Game 4. If the Blazers heat up from beyond the arc, the series could swing back to Portland.
• Manage foul trouble: Castle and Wembanyama both flirted with foul trouble in Game 4. The Spurs’ depth is a strength, but they need their stars on the floor in crunch time.
• Control the glass: San Antonio outrebounded Portland 48-38 in Game 4. Second-chance points were crucial in their comeback.

For Portland, the adjustments are clear: they need to find a way to score when Wembanyama is patrolling the paint. Mid-range jumpers and floaters will be essential, as will getting Grant and Holiday into isolation situations away from the Spurs’ shot-blocker.

Strong Conclusion: A New Era in San Antonio

This series is far from over, but the Spurs have sent a clear message to the rest of the league. With Victor Wembanyama healthy and playing at an elite level, San Antonio is not just a feel-good story—they are a legitimate contender. The 19-point comeback in a hostile road environment showed maturity that belies the team’s youth.

Game 5 on Tuesday will be the toughest test yet. The Blazers will throw everything they have at the Spurs, knowing one more loss means the end of their season. But if the second half of Game 4 is any indication, the Spurs have the talent, the coaching, and the star power to finish the job.

Prediction: San Antonio closes out the series in five games. Wembanyama posts another double-double with at least five blocks, and Fox delivers a 30-point performance in front of the home crowd. The Spurs are moving on, and the Western Conference just got a lot more interesting.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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